PRESENTATIONS & WORKSHOPS

  • HE / HIM

    Eden possesses extensive experience spanning nearly 18 years within the body piercing and suspension domain. His organization, Immersive Environments, has successfully hosted numerous international events, including the Australasian Suscon and the annual Immersive Environments Retreat.

    Eden's unwavering dedication lies in the realm of body suspension education, where he passionately advocates for the dissemination of standardized protocols and procedures to ensure the safety and well-being of the broader community.

  • FOR HOOK SUSPENSION PRACTITIONERS

    Here I explore the fundamental components that define the load path within a hook suspension environment. I provide a detailed breakdown of each section, offering a brief analysis to enhance understanding of the system’s behavior and performance.


  • THEY / THEM

    Lynn has been professionally piercing since 2011, and facilitating suspensions since 2013. They have a passion for everything hook and piercing related, and since their first suspension they have been immensely drawn to the craft.

    They focus on work that empowers their clients, with a foundation in trauma-informed work, and transgender issues. Lynn is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, and when they aren't piercing or facilitating, they enjoy reading books and hanging out with their cat, Girlfriend.

  • A CLOSER LOOK AT BIO ON SUSPENSION

    This class will teach you to appreciate the position of Bio from a deeper point of view and address technical skills for doing bio well. We will also discuss how to approach touch from a trauma-informed mindset, and how to best care for the suspendee.

  • SHE / HER

    Charlyne has been facilitating hook suspension since 2010 and rope suspension since 2017. Her way of facilitating is centered on the suspendee’s experience, which led her in early 2021 to start studying life coaching, mental health first aid, and reading trauma-related material putting emphasis on shadow work.

    As a spiritual person practicing the occult, Charlyne864 would often make suspensions as rituals, occasionally mixing hooks with ropes or bloodletting. In her practice - which she refers to as “the occult therapy” - ritual, psychology, and somatic experience are combined into a framework of personal growth.

  • BEING A SAFE FACILITATOR

    Mental health is as important as physical health. This lecture is designed for facilitators to get the information you need to be more responsible for your suspendee's mental and emotional well-being. The lecture will touch on many topics such as defining empathy and explaining why it matters so much in body suspension, connecting with your suspendee, giving support and coaching, important behaviours to be mindful of, suspension down, and supporting suspendees with social anxiety.

  • HE / HIM

    Medical Microbiology Scientist for over 40 years, based in Christchurch, NZ

    • Lectures for University of Otago

    • NZ Infection Prevention Control Consultancy

    Ben has had an extensive career in the Medical Microbiology field. He gives many presentations nationally and internationally to multidisciplinary specialty conferences, seminars, as well as to community groups, GP’s, specialists, rest homes, PHOs NZ wide via video link & Mobile Health, MOH, Pharmac, private and public hospitals, dental association, etc.

    His primary focus, fascination and passion is in Medical Microbiology including Infection Prevention and Control education – helping prevent (e.g. education, techniques, vaccination, transmission cessation approaches) and when too late, managing infections, outbreaks, epidemics and pandemics.

  • A GOOD START!

    IPC Policies & Procedures are a given, understanding microbes in greater context can draw us to love their magic - most of the time - but the exceptions are critical to know for the consequences of everyone.

  • SHE / THEY

    Jennifer is a queer and trans advocate, artist, educator, and writer, currently running a national training programme for Aotearoa's primary care workforce.

  • FOR QUEER AND TRANS PEOPLE

    In this session, we'll cover some useful background information about queer and trans people in Aotearoa, and the common barriers for our rainbow whanau accessing events and communities, before workshopping some practical skills for creating safer spaces.

  • HE / HIM

    Steve Carter has an Honours degree in Law and over 30 years experience working in community development and social justice activism, with a career spanning mental health, criminal justice, volunteerism, and arts development.

    He has been involved in the development and delivery of some of the major mental health awareness campaigns in Aotearoa/New Zealand and is a lived experience advocate and leader in the system transformation and human rights/anti-discrimination policy space.

    He is a currently a workforce trainer, supervisor and coach for people working in frontline social services, supporting the development of leading-edge practice that is rooted in principles such as decolonization, self-determination and empowerment. He is an advocate for services and communities that are trauma-informed, strengths-based and empowering.

  • SHE / HER

    Alice Downie is a seasoned trauma counsellor and professional supervisor, specializing in addiction and trauma recovery. Alice currently serves a dual role at Weaving Connections, where she supports individuals overcoming complex trauma, and external professional supervision, guiding other professionals in enhancing their therapeutic skills.

    Alice holds a bachelor’s degree in social work, and she has furthered her specialization with postgraduate qualifications in Addiction and Co-existing Disorders, as well as Professional Supervision. Her intensive training in trauma has equipped her with the insights and techniques necessary to address complex psychological issues effectively.

    Throughout her career, Alice has been dedicated to adopting and promoting trauma-informed practices. Her approach not only aids in recovery but also fosters an environment of safety, trust, and empathy.

  • FOUNDATIONS, INTEGRATION AND TRANSFORMATION

    Alice and Steve will be presenting on the importance of trauma-informed practices rooted in the belief that building awareness and connection are pivotal in the journey towards recovery and resilience for all.

    Their session aims to deepen the understanding of trauma impacts and enhance the skills of participants in creating supportive, effective therapeutic environments.

    We will explore the critical nuances of trauma-informed care and to learn how to better build awareness and connection within your suspension practice.